What is Ham Radio?

Jack Demaree WN9GOA 1968

Amateur Radio (ham radio) is a popular hobby and service that brings people, electronics and communication together. People use ham radio to talk across town, around the world, or even into space, all without the Internet or cell phones. It's fun, social, educational, and can be a lifeline during times of need.

You can set up a ham radio station anywhere! In a field, in the park, in your home, anywhere.

Although Amateur Radio operators get involved for many reasons, they all have in common a basic knowledge of radio technology and operating principles, and pass an examination for the FCC license to operate on radio frequencies known as the "Amateur Bands." These bands are radio frequencies allocated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for use by ham radio operators.

Read MORE

After 51 years

Happy Anniversary to my wife Betty.
I do not know how you made it with me as your husband !!

The secret of a happy marriage is finding the right person, and I did ...... Jack

From the digital forum

I have learned much in the past few days from this list. Most guys are running as much as 1.5 Kw.
I have been in the minority by using 25 watts or less. But now I will join with the rest and when
your whole waterfall now turns red, Yep it will be me with the big broad over modulated signal.
I have worked the world on 30 meters with 100 Mw - I just don't understand how I did it with less
than a KW.
The new way to get QSOs is find a weak signal on the waterfall then turn on your amp and call
on top of the weak station. I know this works as it has happened to me over and over time after
time when running 25 watts or less.

At the beginning JT-65, JT9, & FT8 was pushed as a low power mode. I ran 5 watts with a Yaesu
FT-817 and worked WAC with in days. Now FT8 has taken over but now it takes, at the very least,
100 watts according to you guys. Now you need more power to run over the QRP, attic and poor
antenna stations. What has Amateur Radio come to, I think it is a shame.

I think it legal to run FT8 where ever digital mode is permitted, and while your at it turn on the amp.
And don't forget on 60 meters run over the 100 watt power permitted to work that state side station.
--
Jack Demaree
https://www.qrz.com/db/wb9otx

2 years ago in 2015

In December 2015 I was having a fun time with a group of new friends on the Island of St. Lucia, West Indies. This was a trip organized by the antenna company called Buddipole. See their page HERE.

I was very proud that I was invited to join the team. Thousands
of contacts were made in all parts of the world using the Buddipole
antennas. ...... Jack J6/wb9otx

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Wizards In Winter

Pearl Harber Day

December 7th, 1941

Franklin Delano Roosevelt - Pearl Harbor Address


Above Video is From YouTube

See photos from Pearl Harbor 

How to Stop Being an Interrupting Asshole

This is a pet peeve of mine - try not to be an "Interrupting Asshole" ...... Jack

Whatever the reason you interrupt—you want to win, you want to add value to the conversation, you want to be the smartest in the room—you’ll almost always be better off listening anyway. Listening gives you more information to use in a debate, makes you seem wiser because they’ll eventually ask you for your thoughts, and it keeps you from coming across as a know-it-all. You know who cuts people off so they can be heard? Children. Are you a child?

Practice Biting Your Tongue

Ever heard the expression “bite your tongue?” Try that—literally. It’s like a game. While other people talk, place your tongue between your teeth. If your tongue moves from your teeth, you lose and you’re a jackass.

Nobody likes someone who interrupts people all the time. It’s rude and it actually thwarts clear communication from happening. Some of us interrupters, though, are aware of our problem and tired of being the jerk who cuts people off. Here are a few tricks for shutting yourself down.

Know That Interrupting Is Bad for Everyone

Above all, you should know that interrupting is rarely helpful for anyone, including yourself. When you interrupt others, they feel like they haven’t been heard, so they end up talking more just to try and get their point across. That means more listening for you. Or worse, they shut down entirely and feel like their thoughts aren’t worth sharing at all, and that ruins the point of communication.

Whatever the reason you interrupt—you want to win, you want to add value to the conversation, you want to be the smartest in the room—you’ll almost always be better off listening anyway. Listening gives you more information to use in a debate, makes you seem wiser because they’ll eventually ask you for your thoughts, and it keeps you from coming across as a know-it-all. You know who cuts people off so they can be heard? Children. Are you a child?

Practice Biting Your Tongue

Ever heard the expression “bite your tongue?” Try that—literally. It’s like a game. While other people talk, place your tongue between your teeth. If your tongue moves from your teeth, you lose and you’re a jackass.

from:
https://lifehacker.com/how-to-stop-being-an-interrupting-asshole-1820804347

Tile - Helps you find things like a lost Panda

NOTE to AOL Users:

AOL is currently refusing to accept mail from the WB9OTX.com email server and many others.
If you are an AOL user, I would highly suggest using a different email address to post mail, or to reply to me. Maybe now would be a good time for you to dump AOL and use a real email provider like GMail.

Veterans Day Program

South Ripley High School Veterans Day Program video. 
Thank you to all who have served !

Please click HERE to view this video
or
https://www.facebook.com/mckenna.bradley.3/videos/815799618581901/

Thank you South Ripley for a really great program again this year ...... Jack

What is Due Point

The dewpoint temperature is the temperature at which the air can no longer "hold" all of the water vapor which is mixed with it, and some of the water vapor must condense into liquid water. The dew point is always lower than (or equal to) the air temperature.

If the air temperature cools to the dew point, or if the dew point rises to equal the air temperature, then dew, fog or clouds begin to form. At this point where the dew point temperature equals the air temperature, the relative humidity is 100%.

Read More 

See the Due Point map

11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month

Veterans Monument Versailles Indiana Town Square 

Veterans Day is an official United States public holiday, observed annually on November 11, that honors military veterans; that is, persons who served in the United States Armed Forces. It coincides with other holidays, including Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, celebrated in other countries that mark the anniversary of the end of World War I; major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. The United States previously observed Armistice Day. The U.S. holiday was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.

Read more

How to Send Text Messages Via Email for Free

Just substitute a 10-digit cell number for 'number' for each carrier below:

AT&T: number@txt.att.net.
T-Mobile: number@tmomail.net)
Verizon: number@vtext.com (text-only), number@vzwpix (text + photo)
Sprint: number@messaging.sprintpcs.com or number@pm.sprint.com.
Virgin Mobile: number@vmobl.com.

Halloween

Read all about Halloween at wikipedia.org


photo by: Toby Ord 

Antoine Dominique "Fats" Domino Jr. (2/26/28 – 10/24/17

"Fats" Domino Jr. was an American pianist and singer-songwriter of Louisiana Creole descent. Domino's large persona, dance hall piano playing, and tales of love and home made him Elvis Presley's top rival. By the end of his career, Domino was credited with selling more records than any other 1950s rock and roll act except Presley. Domino's humility and shyness may be one reason his contribution to the genre has been overlooked. During his career, Domino sold more than 65 million records. He had 35 records in the U.S. Billboard Top 40, and five of his pre-1955 records sold more than a million copies, being certified gold. Between 1955 and 1960, he had eleven Top 10 hits. His musical style was based on traditional rhythm and blues, accompanied by saxophones, bass, piano, electric guitar, and drums.

I remember Fatts on the juke box playing at the Fill Up after a ballgame. I was about 13 or 14 years old. .... Jack

Read more

Versailles Eagle sighted

I walk the loop road around the Cliff Hill Graveyard almost daily. I have been seeing an eagle perched in a tall tree. I have not made it fly and you should not either. Don't scare it, just enjoy looking at a great bird .... Jack

Love that FT8

I just worked RI1ANO in the South Shetland Islands on the 30 meter band with mode FT8 25 watts to a 1/4 wave vertical.
Don't you just love it when something great happens !

Click to enlarge 

WRMI in Okeechobee

Shortwave Station Bends But Doesn’t Break

WRMI in Okeechobee scrambled back to service despite hurricane damage.
Read the full story

Versailles Pumpkin Show 2017

Drone Flight By David Wood

Why Leaves Change Color

http://www.esf.edu/pubprog/brochure/leaves/leaves.htm

Alejandro Villanueva's

Alejandro Villanueva's jersey just became the hottest buy in the NFL.

Read from the Web

A black-eye to Vets

I will never watch a NFL foot ball game again.
This act is a poke in the eye to all Veterans.
Shame on these USA million dollar players. Try this in
another country, Go there and get out of the USA.
......... Jack Demaree = Proud Veteran of the USA

Elton John - Rocket Man

Irma - Trump's Fault

Jennifer Lawrence suggests hurricanes are Mother Nature’s rage for electing Donald Trump
See the full stupid story on YouTube

N9M on the air

http://n9m.ripleycounty.net/

Cards are in and are being sent out. Hundreds of contacts
were made. N9M was a great success.
Thanks to all that worked us WB9OTX & KC9HYL

Fernando G. Taylor House, Versailles, Indiana

See it larger on Youtube

Salvation Army

Believe me, if you want your donation to do the most good donate to the Salvation Army.

Click HERE to make a DONATION

I have checked the authenticity of this web page

and it is confirmed .... Jack Demaree

If its not broke - don't fix it

Coca-cola has replaced Coke Zero with Coca-Cola Zero Sugar.
In a short few words "It Stinks" It tastes like Pepsi.
Coca-Cola - WHY ! I will be drinking it NOT.

WB9OTX WSPR to Australia

Another distance record for my 200 Mw WSPR transmitter on 30 meters.

Click to enlarge

What the Hell is Next

Do we blow up and remove
this monument ?

If the American Nazis want the canon off the 
Versailles Court House Square do we remove it ?

What in Hell is this country 
coming to ?

1981 - My 1st computer

Above was my 1st computer in January 1981
The Sinclair ZX81 was a home computer released in 1981 by Sinclair Research. It was the follow-up to the Sinclair ZX80.The machine's distinctive appearance was the work of industrial designer Rick Dickinson. Video output, as in the ZX80, was to a television set, and saving and loading programs was via an ordinary home audio tape recorder to audio cassette. Like its predecessor it used a membrane keyboard. Timex Corporation manufactured kits as well as assembled machines for Sinclair Research. In the United States a version with double the RAM and an NTSC television standard was marketed as the Timex Sinclair

Camp David

Camp David is the country retreat of the President of the United States. It is located in wooded hills of Catoctin Mountain Park near Thurmont, Maryland, about 62 miles (100 km) north-northwest of Washington, D.C.. It is officially known as the Naval Support Facility Thurmont, because it is technically a military installation, and staffing is primarily provided by the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps.
Everything you ever wanted to know about Camp David.


From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977)

Presley performing live at the Mississippi-Alabama
Fairgrounds in Tupelo, Mississippi, September 26, 1956
Click to enlarge.

Read the full story

MSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter)

There is always something new to try in Ham Radio one being MSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter). Actually MSPR is not new I dabbled with it about five years ago not pursuing at any great length, other things were on my mind. My new interest came about after seeing a very small low power transmitter advertised. It transmits on 20 and 30 meters out of the box. Others bands can be added by adding a filter that comes in kit form. The wheels turned and the 30 meter vertical antenna that was not being used could work very well with this unit. It was ordered and in a very short time delivered. It does not come with a few adapters but luckily I had them in my junk box. It was assembled and connected to the antenna then powered on. It requires only 5 volts coming from a charger for a cell phone or a battery through a USB cable. The RF output is only 200Mw or less. This is 2 tenths of one watt. This is extremely low power. A computer, tablet, or smart phone enables you to see who is receiving the signal. The first time I brought up the web page I was totally amazed. My 200Mw signal on 30 meters was being received by other Hams hundreds of miles away. Later that night when conditions were better the signal made it all the way to New Zealand, some 8,218 miles away, this was almost unbelievable to me. keeping an eye on the distance being covered it has been received even further to Australia and many countries in Europe. By hooking it to various antennas you can judge the efficiency and directivity also the best times of day or night to use your other transmit modes such as SSB. All and all a not only fun gadget but a very useful one.
See a Youtube video about MSPR
https://youtu.be/HvHFV244Wxg

Click to enlarge

WB9OTX/B 30 Meter Beacon

200 MW to 100 foot of RG8X to a 1/4 wave vertical
with 20 radials.

2 tenths of 1 watt from Versailles, In. USA to New Zealand 

8,217.9 miles

N9M Special Event Station

NMLRA

See the page at
http://n9m.ripleycounty.net

In amateur radio, a Special Event Station is a special operation usually in observation or commemoration of a special or historical event. These events usually will have a special 1x1 call sign, or some other special vanity call sign. These stations generally operate for a short time and have special QSL cards to commemorate the event.

New FT8 Mode Included in WSJT-X

In 3 days I have made just under one hundred contacts with this new Amiture Radio Mode.You will need an interface to your computer or with some of the newer radios you need only a USB cable. The software is free. There is every U.S. state and tons of DX. Give it a try, its fun.
See my log at the bottom of my page. I am using 25 watts or less and have made several QSOs with 1 watt.
See a demo on YouTube.
...........................................................
from the ARRL
A beta release of WSJT-X, version 1.8.0-rc1, includes a new FT8 mode, featuring a faster turnaround, and it’s already showing up on the bands. According to the notes for the candidate release, FT8 offers “sensitivity down to –20 dB on the AWGN channel,” and contacts 4 times faster than JT65 or JT9. An auto-sequencing feature offers the option to respond automatically to the first decoded reply to your CQ. The beta WSJT-X also offers a new mode for accurate frequency calibration of your radio, improved CAT radio control, and enhanced JT65, QRA64, and MSK144 decoder performance. According to The Daily DX, on July 11, Frank Donovan, W3LPL, reported what he called “lots of semi-rare DX activity” using the new FT8 mode. He mentioned A92AA, OY1DZ, VR2XMT, and YE2IJ on 40 meters, and TR8CA and YI3WHR on 20. — Thanks to The ARRL Contest Update and The Daily DX

Apollo 11 July 20, 1969

Apollo 11 was the spaceflight that landed the first two humans on the Moon. Mission commander Neil Armstrong and pilot Buzz Aldrin, both American, landed the lunar module Eagle on July 20, 1969, at 20:18 UTC. Armstrong became the first to step onto the lunar surface six hours later on July 21 at 02:56:15 UTC; Aldrin joined him about 20 minutes later. They spent about two and a quarter hours together outside the spacecraft, and collected 47.5 pounds (21.5 kg) of lunar material to bring back to Earth. Michael Collins piloted the command module Columbia alone in lunar orbit while they were on the Moon's surface. Armstrong and Aldrin spent just under a day on the lunar surface before rendezvousing with Columbia in lunar orbit.
Read MORE

The Journeys of Apollo 11, " The Conquest of the Moon ", NASA documentary (2009) HD
See the VIDEO on YouTube

I have a new antenna

I have a new antenna and it is working very well. It is in the shape of a dipole (kind of) the center is about 18 ft high the two ends are 16 ft. The overall length is 135 ft. It is fed with 300 ohm 94 ft of parallel feedline. From there it goes into a 1 to 1 balun coil, then 25 ft. RG8 coax to the tuner. It compares to my full wave delta loop on 75 meters. With the Palstar tunner it is usable on all bands 75 through 10 meters. It is much better on 30 meters than my 1/4 wave ground mounted 30 meter vertical. It works North and South stations as well as my Phased verticals on 40 meters. With the new mode of FT8 in the last 2 days I have worked about 3/4 of the United States and Canada. Several stations in South America and Europe have been contacted. All with 25 watts or less. The only improvement I could make to the antenna would be change the feedline to 600 ohm, but that won't come for some time because I do not have any and to buy new will be about $75.00 I just wish I could put it up higher as I'm sure it would work even better. Here is a drawing of the antenna.

Ham Radio Classified Ads

A Free Service by KA9FOX & QTH.com

Click HERE To get Ham Gear

The Dailyoverlook

A new photo each and every day

http://www.dailyoverlook.com/1024.php

Christmas Island

As a Ham Radio Operator I have in the past talked to other Hams on Christmas Island. (VK9X) Not knowing very many facts about Christmas Is., Yesterday I spoke with Doctor Alcorn who has visited there. He enlightened me on the many things he enjoyed while there. He is a fisherman and landed many woppers as he called them. He also spoke of the birds the Island is noted for. Now I know just a little more, So next time I communicate with a Ham on Christmas Is. I can know a little more about his location. When I returned home I searched on the net for more information and found an informative page, The link (URL) is posted lower.  

Christmas Island is an Australian territory in the Indian Ocean, lying south of Java, Indonesia. A national park covers most of the 135-sq-km island, offering rainforest hikes to wetlands and waterfalls like Hugh's Dale. Native wildlife includes nesting seabirds and the red crab, a land species known for its late-fall migration to the sea. The island is ringed with snorkelling and diving reefs.

Learn MORE

Also

wikipedia

My friend Dr. Bob Mulford

In honor of Dr. Bob Mulford for 40 years

of service to the people of Ripley

and surrounding counties

This plaque hangs in his old office on the East side of the Versailles Square

Remembering Tyson School

See the video larger on YouTube

See class photos from Versailles school

See photos of Versailles High School

Independence Day

In the United States, Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July or the Fourth, is a holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. On Independence Day there are many events such as fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, picnics, concerts, baseball games, political speeches and ceremonies, and various other public and private events. These events celebrate the history, government, and traditions of the United States.
Read MORE


from wikipedia.org

Sporadic E propagation

Today 6/30/17 was a good day for Sporadic E on 28 and 50 Mhz. I worked several stations on 50 Mhz. My 10 meter beacon was heard in several parts of the USA. ..... Jack WB9OTX

Sporadic E or Es is an unusual form of radio propagation using characteristics of the Earth's ionosphere. Whereas most forms of skywave propagation use the normal and cyclic ionization properties of the ionosphere's F region to refract (or "bend") radio signals back toward the Earth's surface, sporadic E propagation bounces signals off smaller "clouds" of unusually ionized atmospheric gas in the lower E region (located at altitudes of approx. 90 to 160 km). This occasionally allows for long-distance communication at VHF frequencies not usually well-suited to such communication.
Read MORE

From wikipedia.org

Fireworks July 1

Clifty Falls State Park 

Versailles State Park

Summer Solstice

The summer solstice begins on Tuesday, June 20 and Wednesday, June 21 (depending on your time zone.) For time zones further west, the solstice falls on Tuesday. The solstice will begin June 21 at 12:24 a.m. EDT and will continue west to Tuesday, June 20, 11:24 p.m. CDT, 10:24 p.m. MDT, and 9:24 p.m. PDT.

Its hard to beat a dipole antenna

Over the years I have had a search for the perfect but very simple antenna. If you want to work several frequencies a fan dipole is your best bet. A very simple 2 band antenna is a plain 40 meter dipole. This antenna will perform fine on 40 as well as 15 meters. The SWR will be around 2 to 1 on 15 but usable especially if your radio has an internal tuner. I have found for about $100.00 dollars you can buy the new parts to construct a 110 foot dipole, feed it with 300 or 450 ohm parallel feedline. This antenna must have a 1 to 1 or a 4 to 1 balun, from the balen you will need a piece of 50 ohm coax. The shorter the better. Your internal tuner in your radio will most likely tune several bands but probably not all. If you have a good external tuner you will be able to tune all the bands from 80 to 10 meters. Mine has a 1 to 1 balun and I can tune all but 12 meters. These antennas I have described will perform very well and are low in cost. Of'course they won't do the job of a gain antenna like a Yagi. If you want to spend a few more dollars, it is hard to beat a ground mounted vertical. Very simple to make but much work laying the radial system. My 40 meter vertical works fabulous on 40 and very good on 30 meters. You may be able to tune 15 with it also. A full size loop or delta loop is a good close in, say out to 300  to 400 miles. A cloud burner on 80/75 or 40 meters. but it requires lots of wire and copper wire is expensive.

Antennas that are not too good are magnetic loops, end feed 1/4 wave wires, and random wires with a 9 to 1 balun. Also eve trough non-resonant antennas. Trap dipols work but are very narrow banded and hard to make or if you buy the traps they are costly, only use if you can't fit a 1/2 wave one in the space.

If you are restricted on space or have to put your antenna in the attic you have to make do with what you have. I know two hams that have antennas in their attics and do make lots of contacts. My friend (W9BS) in Florida has an attic antenna and I have contacted him on 75, 60, 40, 30,and 6 meters. This is quite an accomplishment for being restricted to an attic space. Even a bad antenna will radiate RF, I have made contacts with a 100 watt light bulb hooked up as a dummy load !

At any rate make do with what you have to work with. I find experimenting is half the fun. A real good feeling is making an antenna that works well.
Good luck in the contest ....... Jack WB9OTX

Dipole calculator HERE
Fan Dipole Information HERE

The image is from  hamuniverse.com

Field Day (amateur radio)

Field Day is an annual amateur radio exercise, widely sponsored by IARU regions and member organizations, encouraging emergency communications preparedness[citation needed] among amateur radio operators. In the United States, it is typically the largest single emergency preparedness exercise in the country, with over 30,000 operators participating each year. Field Day is always the fourth full weekend of June, beginning at 1800 UTC Saturday and running through 2059 UTC Sunday.
Read MORE

Flag Day June 14 2017

Look out for the red, white, and blue this week as the United States celebrates Flag Day. Here's what you should know about the special occasion, which pays tribute to the Stars and Stripes on June 14.
Read More

Where am I

The passenger steamer SS Warrimoo was quietly knifing its way through the waters of the mid-Pacific on its way from Vancouver to Australia.  The navigator had just finished working out a star fix & brought the master, Captain John Phillips, the result.

The Warrimoo’s position was LAT 0º 31′ N and LON 179º 30′ W.  The date was 31 December 1899.  “Know what this means?”  First Mate Payton broke in, “We’re only a few miles from the intersection of the Equator and the International Date Line.”
Captain Phillips was prankish enough to take full advantage of the opportunity for achieving the navigational freak of a lifetime.  He called his navigators to the bridge to check & double check the ships position.
He changed course slightly so as to bear directly on his mark.  Then he adjusted the engine speed.  The calm weather & clear night worked in his favor.

At midnight the SS Warrimoo lay on the Equator at exactly the point where it crossed the International Date Line!  The consequences of this bizarre position were many: The forward part (bow) of the ship was in the Southern Hemisphere & the middle of summer.  The rear (stern) was in the Northern Hemisphere & in the middle of winter.

The date in the aft part of the ship was 31 December 1899.  Forward it was 1 January 1900.  This ship was therefore not only in two different days, two different months, two different years, two different seasons but in two different centuries – all at the same time.

Author unknown

Stations I've contacted

Stations I've contacted WB9OTX June 9, 2017

VK6KXW 2017-06-09 40m JT65 OF87jr Australia Peter Jackson
4X1QQ 2017-06-09 30m JT65 KM72st Israel 4x1qq - 4X1QQ
SQ9CWZ 2017-06-09 30m JT65 JO90ng Poland Lesiewicz Marek
UY3IC 2017-06-09 30m JT65 KN98cg Ukraine Alexandr Pyanov
YO7CKQ 2017-06-09 30m JT65 KN15pa Romania Sorin-David NIMARA
IU7IGC 2017-06-09 30m JT65 JN81KC46 Italy         Fedele Fabio Lopinto
WB0FTY 2017-06-08 6m JT65 DM99di USA   BERNARD R WEISHAPL
VK4TDX 2017-06-08 30m JT65 QG62lf Australia Raymund Wietschorke
ZS1CM 2017-06-08 30m JT65 JF95fw South Africa Frank Daelemans
NT2X 2017-06-08 6m SSB FN30ao USA  EDWARD KRITSKY
K1KA 2017-06-08 6m JT65 FN42fv USA  David L Mackey
PP6ZZ 2017-06-07 30m JT65 HH19la Brazil Andre C Sampaio
DL1HAZ 2017-06-07 30m JT65 JO43xs Germany Walter Zimmer
LY2FN 2017-06-07 30m JT65 KO14xv Lithuania RICARDAS STROLIA
DL2MIJ 2017-06-06 17m JT65 JN58di Germany Robert Mussinger

D-day

See the page at:
https://www.army.mil/d-day/

Ultimate Guide to Meteor Showers in 2017

If you are a reader of this Blog you read that I have been communicating via meteor scatter. Unfortunately the conditions have not been too favorable lately. So I will have to wait for the next Meteor Shower. What, your not a Ham Radio Operator, Well you can still gaze at the sky to see some of the bright streaks. Here is a Meteor Shower calendar so you won't miss the action.
See it HERE

Image and information is from:
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/

Virus - malware - ransom ware

Just don't read (open) emails that you do not know the sender. Don't click on links in emails. Don't open attachments. It is as simple as that...... Jack

Airline Ticket Giveaway Scam

Dear Valued Customer,

We would like to know how your last flight with American Airlines? Start now

For a couple seconds of your time we are offering a $79 flight voucher claim now

If you received this email or see it on Facebook Like the one above.

DO NOT click on any links, open any attachments, call phone numbers listed, or follow any instructions in these fraudulent emails including opening any type of attachments. Instead, delete all emails and attachments.

from: Snopes.com

CQ DX on the Ham Bands

I suppose CQ DX means different things to different people. To me it means don't call me if you are inside the USA. I guess for some like the Lid in Texas that calls me here in Indiana on 40 meters covering (QRMing) up the Ham in Europe. All you can do is move frequency and let'em call. I won't answer !! .... WB9OTX

Image from: "theharvestfellowship page"

Mother's Day

Read about Mother's Day

          Give her something she can use this year

Electrical shock: First aid

Read about what to do

How Far Can You Talk

Novice Radio Station WN9GOA 

People that are not familiar with Amateur (Ham) Radio ask how far do you talk? Distance is not a factor but how rare the location is. If there is no one there for you to communicate with you don't communicate. Heard Island is approximately 12,500 miles from my location but there are only a group of Hams that travail there about every 10 years or so. This makes the location very rare, not the distance. Below is an above average day of contacts I made. There is nothing  rare as there are thousands of Hams at any of these locations, but the distances are great. Some are over 10,000 miles away. 

Australia, Japan, Czech Rep.,  F.R.of Germany, Slovenia, Ukraine,  Hungary,  and Poland

See the WB9OTX QRZ page

Victory in Europe Day MAY 8

May 8th
Victory in Europe Day, generally known as V-E Day, VE Day or simply V Day, was the public holiday celebrated on 8 May 1945 to mark the formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces. It thus marked the end of World War II in Europe.
READ MORE

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Image from nationaldays.net

Goes Geostationary Satellite

http://www.goes.noaa.gov/index.html